Project Management Office (PMO)
An organizational unit that sets and enforces project governance standards and enables the organization to share and reuse resources, methods, tools, and techniques across projects.
Key Points
- Defines and maintains project governance policies, standards, and oversight.
- Centralizes resource sharing, knowledge management, and best practices.
- Provides common methodologies, templates, tools, and training for teams.
- Authority can vary by PMO type (supportive, controlling, or directive).
Example
A company PMO creates a common risk register template, manages a pool of certified project managers, provides a standard scheduling tool, and audits projects for compliance with change control procedures.
PMP Example Question
Which organizational entity is primarily responsible for standardizing governance processes and enabling shared tools, templates, and specialized resources across multiple projects?
- Project Management Office (PMO)
- Project Sponsor
- Project Team
- Functional Manager
Correct Answer: A — Project Management Office (PMO)
Explanation: A PMO establishes governance standards and facilitates sharing of resources, methodologies, tools, and techniques across projects.